Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

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Brown marmorated stink bug

Life form: InsectOrigin: East AsiaDistribution: East Asia, North America and EuropeFeatures: Shield shape, adults are mottled reddish-brown,
white bands on antennae, legs, and rear margin of bodyPathways: Hitchhiker on imported goods, vessels and aircraftsAt risk: Over 300 agricultural and ornamental plants

Brown marmorated stink bugs pose a high biosecurity risk to Australia because of their tendency to hitchhike, highly mobile nature and the lack of effective lures.

If it established in Australia, this pest would be extremely difficult and expensive to manage, partly due to its broad host range. Preventing an incursion in the first place is a high priority for government and industry, and we need your help.

How to identify Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

Everyone needs to keep an eye out for brown marmorated stink bugs.

Before the arrival of winter, brown marmorated stink bugs can be found in large numbers seeking shelter from cold weather in crevices or protected areas of:

buildings

boats

caravans

machinery

personal stored items

shipping containers

vehicles.

They are more frequently found on goods arriving in Australia between September and April, coinciding with the late autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere.

If brown marmorated stink bugs were present in Australia, we could expect it to typically aggregate from April and emerge from sheltered sites from late September.

Australia has many native stink bugs which can look similar to the brown marmorated stink bug.

Adult brown marmorated stink bugs:

are 12 to 17 mm long

have a distinctive brown ‘shield’ shape.

have a variable in body colour, but generally mottled with a faint reddish tinge and distinctive black and white banding around the outer edge of the abdomen.

While there are species of stink bugs in Australia that may look similar, adult brown marmorated stink bugs have distinctive white bands on the last two antennal segments.

Juveniles or nymphs are similar to the adults except they are smaller, between 2.4 to 12 mm long, and do not have fully developed wings.

Young nymphs have a dark head with an orange abdomen and red with black stripes around the outer edges and down the centre.

Older nymphs are similar but often darker, with some small lateral spines around the front edge of the body, and the banding pattern on the legs and antennae beginning to appear.

As with other stink bugs, this pest emits a characteristic and unpleasant odour when disturbed or crushed. Not only is their smell offensive but the pest has social and environmental consequences as they aggregate in large numbers in people’s homes and feed on ornamental and native trees and shrubs.

Importers and travellers

If you work around imported goods, you need to look for brown marmorated stink bugs on:

crates

machinery

shipping containers

vehicles.

If you have recently travelled from East Asia, North America or Europe, check for luggage and personal effects for stowaways like the brown marmorated stink bug.

Growers and home gardeners

Take action if you find a bug that looks like it could be brown marmorated stink bug.

Brown marmorated stink bug is a voracious feeder that damages vegetable crops, fruit and ornamental trees. It is known to feed on more than 300 hosts, including important agricultural crops, such as:

apples

beans

citrus

corn

figs

grapes

peaches

pears

raspberries

soybeans

some ornamental plants

tomatoes.

The juvenile or nymphal stages cause the most damage. On tree fruit, feeding injury can cause malformation, such as sunken areas and corky spots as the fruit develops, and premature fruit drop.

Similar damage occurs to fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes and capsicums. In maize and soybeans feeding damage can stop seed development. Buildings and vegetation, including wild and ornamental plants provide refuge for adults, which are a source of re-infestation for nearby crops.

The bug is not a risk to human health but it is regarded as a nuisance pest because it seeks sheltered places overwinter, often in large numbers.

Keep Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) out of Australia

All Australians and international tourists have a role to keep out exotic pests and diseases.

Brown marmorated stink bug is native to East Asia and has been introduced to the United States and parts of Western Europe. Australia remains free of this exotic pest. We need your help to keep it this way.

Check what you can and cannot bring into Australia, whether you are a:

Import restrictions and biosecurity measures

Be aware of any brown marmorated stink bug biosecurity measures that may be in place for incoming goods and vessels.
Industry advice notices are reviewed regularly and could change.

Secure any suspect specimens

Containment is critical.

The bug is a strong flier, covering distances of up to 2 km. Therefore, if it does get here, it is important to take immediate action. Try to contain the bug without disturbing it – this may be as simple as closing the doors on a shipping container.

If you suspect you have seen a brown marmorated stink bug, take a photo and report the location. Inspect the area where you found the bug and try to trace it to the source.

Report detections of exotic pests

Any detections of brown marmorated stink bug must be reported to the authorities.

Import commu​nity

If you receive or work around goods imported from overseas, including mail, you need to be vigilant to brown marmorated stink bug and other exotic pests.

If you see an unusual pest, secure the goods to limit the movement of the pest and immediately report it to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
SEE. SECURE. REPORT. Hotline 1800 798 636 or by using the
online form.

Growers and home gardeners

If you see a brown marmorated stink bug or anything unusual, report it to the
Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881. This will put you in touch with the Department of Primary Industries or agriculture in your state or territory.

When reporting your concern, you will be given advice on handling the specimen and what to do next until an officer can investigate.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.